DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-81,215

APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
APEX TOOL GROUP-SUMTER DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM
THOMPSON INDUSTRIAL
SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

TA-W-81,215A

LEASED WORKERS FROM AEROTEK
WORKING ON-SITE AT APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
APEX TOOL GROUP-SUMTER DIVISION
SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (“Act”), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the
workers in such workers' firm have become totally or
partially separated, or are threatened to become
totally or partially separated;
(2)(B)(i)(I) there has been a shift by the workers’
firm to a foreign country in the production of
articles or supply of services like or directly
competitive with those produced/supplied by the
workers’ firm; OR
(II) there has been an acquisition from a
foreign country by the workers’ firm of
articles/services that are like or directly
competitive with those produced/supplied by
the workers’ firm; AND
(ii) the shift/acquisition must have contributed
importantly to the workers’ separation or
threat of separation.

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed by a company official on January 4, 2011 on behalf of
workers of Apex Tool Group, LLC, Apex Tool Group-Sumter
Division, including on-site leased workers from Thompson
Industrial and Aerotek, Sumter, South Carolina (Apex Tool
Group-Sumter Division). The workers’ firm is engaged in
activities related to the production of hand tools.
The workers of Cooper Tools, Sumter, South Carolina (former
company name) were previously certified eligible to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance under TA-W-71,602 that expired on
January 26, 2012. The certification did not cover on-site
leased workers from Aerotek.
During the course of the investigation, information was
collected from the workers’ firm.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
number or proportion of the workers in such workers’ firm have
become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to
become totally or partially separated.
Section 222(a)(2)(B) has been met because the workers' firm
has shifted the production of hand tools to a foreign country,
which contributed importantly to worker group separations at
Apex Tool Group-Sumter Division.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Apex Tool Group, LLC,
Apex Tool Group-Sumter Division, Sumter, South Carolina, who
are engaged in activities related to the production of hand
tools, meet the worker group certification criteria under
Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance
with Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make the
following certification:
“All workers of Apex Tool Group, LLC, Apex Tool Group-
Sumter Division, including on-site leased workers from
Thompson Industrial, Sumter, South Carolina, (TA-W-81,215)
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after January 27, 2012, through two years from the
date of certification, and all workers in the group
threatened with total or partial separation from employment
on the date of certification through two years from the
date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended.”
AND
All leased workers from Aerotek, working on-site at Apex
Tool Group, LLC, Apex Tool Group-Sumter Division, Sumter,
South Carolina, (TA-W-81,215A) who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after February
13, 2010, through two years from the date of certification,
and all workers in the group threatened with total or
partial separation from employment on the date of
certification through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended.”
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 14th day of February, 2012.

/s/ Michael W. Jaffe

______________________________
MICHAEL W. JAFFE
Certifying Officer, Office of
Trade Adjustment Assistance